Applying to NSFAS could be anxious—particularly should you’re uncertain what to anticipate.

That’s why we’ve compiled 10 of essentially the most steadily requested questions on this pupil monetary help scheme’s utility course of.

That method, you’ll know precisely what you’re entering into and learn how to apply.

What’s NSFAS?

The Nationwide Pupil Monetary Assist Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded monetary help scheme for high-achieving lecturers with low incomes. Its solely objective is to assist South African college students who’re struggling financially to acquire the funds they should attend a public larger schooling establishment or TVET School of their alternative.

How Does NSFAS Work?

The method for the NSFAS monetary help scheme is sort of hectic however not inconceivable. You’ll should be pretty educational to qualify (that’s, get good marks at school).

You’ll additionally should undergo a screening course of completed by NSFAS to test whether or not you qualify for the mortgage and the way a lot cash you’ll really want.

When you’ve handed the screening course of, an allotted allowance from NSFAS can be despatched to your establishment that can assist you fund your research and different common pupil prices corresponding to tuition, registration, meals, and extra.

Right here’s all the things you must find out about making use of to NSFAS:

1. What are the NSFAS Necessities for College students?

NSFAS has set standards for college kids seeking to apply for a bursary. The necessities for NSFAS could be divided into two classes: educational and common.

Educational necessities

• You have to have handed Grades 9 to 12 to get NSFAS funding for a TVET School. 
• Nonetheless, should you’re making use of to a college or faculty, you have to get that Nationwide Senior Certificates. 
• That’s just for the appliance, although. When you’ve been accredited by NSFAS, you’ll nonetheless want to fulfill all the factors for admission to the tertiary establishment of your alternative.

Common necessities

Any South African citizen—or a everlasting resident seeking to attend a public college or TVET School—qualifies for NSFAS funding. With that stated, there are specific standards that NSFAS will take a look at in the course of the screening course of, and also you’ll have to fall inside one of many following classes:

• A recipient of the SASSA grant: The SASSA, or South African Social Safety Company, is a authorities group that gives grants and allowances to deprived teams needing monetary help. These teams embrace youngsters, the aged, and people with disabilities.
• Low-income wage earner: This contains people dwelling in a family with a mixed annual revenue of lower than R350 000 (or 29 166 per 30 days) or these dwelling with disabilities with a mixed annual revenue of lower than R600 000 (or R50 000 per 30 days).
• College students who began finding out earlier than 2018: To qualify for this class, you have to have a mixed family revenue of lower than R122 000 per yr (or R10 166 per 30 days).

2. Does NSFAS Have an Age Restrict?

For those who’re in the course of a profession change and seeking to return to highschool however lack funding, we’ve got some nice information!

You may positively be that bizarre older particular person within the lecture room. Or, should you’d as an alternative research by yourself phrases, attempt your hand at distance studying. 

No matter you determine, don’t let your age cease you from getting that dream job. Particularly contemplating that there’s completely no age restrict for NSFAS funding. Which means that, so long as you meet their necessities, you’ll be able to apply.

3. What are the Establishments that NSFAS Funds?

In accordance with the NSFAS web site, it at the moment funds the next public South African universities:

• Nelson Mandela College (NMU)
• North-West College (NWU)
• Rhodes College (RU) 
• Sefako Makgatho Well being Sciences College (SMU)
• Sol Plaatje College (SPU)
• Stellenbosch College (Maties)
• College of Cape City (UCT)
• College of Fort Hare (UFH)
• College of Johannesburg (UJ)
• College of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
• College of Limpopo (Turfloop)
• College of Mpumalanga (UMP)
• College of Pretoria (TUKS)
• College of South Africa (UNISA)
• College of the Free State (UFS)
• College of the Western Cape (UWC)
• College of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
• College of Venda (Univen)
• College of Zululand (UniZulu)
• Walter Sisulu College (WSU)

Those that want to attend a technical faculty (TVET) can be joyful to know that the coed monetary help scheme at the moment funds 50 South African TVET Faculties. 

• Examine the NSFAS listing to see if yours is certainly one of them
• NSFAS bursary mortgage utility

4. When Do NSFAS Functions Open?

The dates for NSFAS purposes change yearly and run in cycles, though all of them occur nearer to the top of every yr.

In earlier years, purposes typically opened in August or September and closed on the finish of November. 

Nonetheless, the dates have now modified and purposes at the moment are opening as early as September and shutting in January of the next yr. 

With dates altering year-on-year, staying within the loop is important, as something can occur. Try FundiConnect’s web site for normal updates or the NSFAS web site and social media pages for any utility information. 

For subsequent yr, purposes to NSFAS for 2024 open on 16 September 2025 and shut on 31 January 2025. 

5. The place Do I Apply for NSFAS?

College students can apply to NSFAS by visiting one of many Nationwide Youth Improvement Company (NYDA) branches or by registering for a web-based account with myNSFAS. For those who’re a bit confused about learn how to register, don’t fear; we have you!

Right here’s learn how to create a myNSFAS account: